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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Chairman, it is true that the English version of Mr. NG's answer and the Chinese version as he has given, the second paragraph, is at variance. That is to say, in English version, he says "preparations are in a well advanced stage". In Chinese he says "preparations have already been completed". Is that true?
CHAIRMAN (in English): First and foremost, this is not a question which concerns Mr. NG personally, although I will still ask him to clarify his position at a later stage; but, where a Member speaks either English or Chinese, then the Interpreter's version is the correct one.
The text in front of you is only for your guidance. It is understood that this is so. Now, I ask Mr. NG to answer your specific question as it is a valid one.
MR. PETER P. K. NG (in English): Mr. Chairman, I have no knowledge of the English version which Mr. SIN is referring to. What I answer is correct.
CHAIRMAN (in English): So the answer given by Mr. P. K. NG in Cantonese is the correct one.
MR. HENRY HU (in English): I would ask one supplementary, Mr. Chairman, to Mr. NG. Has Mr. NG's Select Committee ever considered that people who can only speak Mandarin can be serving in the Urban Council.
CHAIRMAN (in English): May I suggest to you that your question is not in line with Standing Order 12, Section 15. Nevertheless, the matter will be referred once again for the umpteenth time to the Standing Committee. (Laughter)
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG (in Cantonese): I was going to ask the same question about the use of Mandarin since Mr. Hu has asked, I am not going to ask again.
MR. C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, usually in our folder, we have the answers to each question in English and in future if we are not so poor as not to be able to buy more paper, could we have the Chinese answers as well? So that there will be no misunderstanding, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in English): Very interesting, but it will still be referred to the Administration Select Committee. It is not for Mr. P. K. NG to answer it today. (Laughter)
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): All your Hong Kong accent is very funny. (Laughter)
MOTION
MR. EDMUND W. H. CHOW, Chairman of the Standing Orders and Procedures Select Committee, moved the following motion:
"Resolved that Standing Order 3 be amended by the addition of new sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) to read as follows:
'3. (3) The Standing Committee of the Whole Council may appoint Sub-committees for purposes to be specified by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. No act of such Sub-committee shall have effect until approved by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. The Chairman of the Council shall have the right to attend and vote as a member at any meeting of any Sub-committee appointed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
(4) Except where ordered by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, business shall not be transacted at a meeting of any Sub-committee appointed by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council unless at least one quarter of the number of that Sub-committee be present:
Provided that in no case shall the quorum of such Sub-committee be less than two Members."
He said: MR. Chairman, arising from a query over the absence of specific provision in the Urban Council Ordinance or in the Standing Orders for the Standing Committee of the Whole Council to appoint sub-committees, it was thought best to remove any doubt on the matter and to accept the legal advice that specific provision should be made in Standing Orders to cover such eventuality. The two new sub-paragraphs which are the subject of my motion today seek to translate this decision into effect, and have been approved in their form by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
Sir, I beg to move.
MR. CHARLES C. C. SIN (in English): Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in seconding the motion.
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