Page 35 of 206
50
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. FORSGATE:--Mr. Chairman, as Urban Councillors have been asked to speak in public urging members of the public to exercise their right to vote, I have not heard much noise from the Elected Members, at this stage in the game, persuading people to register. I really think it is in their interest to do so now. Could you persuade the Elected Members to do something on their own behalf?
CHAIRMAN:--I am sure they have already made an effort.
MR. LO TAK-SHING:--Mr. Chairman, the figure of $100,000 the Government has spent on the campaign, I would like to ask whether this is the full costing of all the effort that Government has expended on it and including, of course, your time?
CHAIRMAN:--I would need notice of the question.
MR. LO TAK-SHING:--Will you take this question then as notice?
CHAIRMAN: ---We are not involved in this campaign, nor would we want to become involved. It is a matter for the Commissioner of Registration of Persons.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would like you to confirm, if I am correct, that the reason why most people do not register is because our franchise is too limited?
CHAIRMAN:--The question is out of order.
MR. LO TAK-SHING: -Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact when you did quote the figure of $100,000 as being upper limit of expenditure on this year's campaign, do you feel that perhaps this figure might possibly be misleading, in view of the fact that you do not know whether it covers all hidden expenditure?
CHAIRMAN:--It may be, but again I would need to look into this. This is the amount that the Information Services have used so far.
MR. LO TAK-SHING: --Will you give us your assurance, Mr. Chairman, the next time an answer as detailed as this is prepared the information given will not be misleading?
CHAIRMAN:--I do not think it is misleading at all, Mr. Lo. We are dependent on other people for the information, but perhaps they will not give it to us if we are to send it back in this way.
MR. MACKENZIE:--Mr. Chairman, could you tell me please the composition of the Campaign Committee?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
51
CHAIRMAN: ---The composition of the Campaign Committee is as follows: the Chairman is Mr. BLUNDELL of the Information Services; there are two representatives from the Registration of Persons Department; the Secretary of the Urban Council; a representative of the Colonial Secretariat and representatives of Radio Hong Kong and the Television Authority.
MR. MACKENZIE:--In fact some Councillors, I believe, have been involved and have been asked to speak at meetings or speak on Council matters. Would it not have been useful for this Committee to have sought the general advice of the Council on the best means of promoting the campaign?
CHAIRMAN:--Perhaps they could have consulted the Elected Members, and has been pointed out by Mr. FORSGATE, they should be doing something about this. It is not the job of this Council to organize the campaign, nor would I want it to be.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Mr. Chairman, is Mr. FORSGATE aware that an Appointed Member and myself were the first to participate in the campaign to encourage the oldest member of the public entitled to register to have himself registered as a voter for the coming election?
MR. FORSGATE:--Well, that deals with one re-registration. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Mr. Chairman, it is quality that counts, and surely Mr. FORSGATE should be aware of the fact that this was used as part of the overall publicity campaign on television and also on press and radio in order to encourage other members of the public to vote or to register.
CHAIRMAN: -I am sure Mr. FORSGATE is aware of that.
(8) MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Can the Chairman of the Urban Council make a statement as to the state of progress by Government in implementing the decisions made on the White Paper on the Urban Council? What assurance can the Chairman give that all necessary arrangements are being made so that the proposals which have been agreed upon will become operational by 1st April 1973?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
Firstly, all departments involved in this important matter have exchanged views on the implications of the White
Page 35
Page 36
Page 36 of 206