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In terms of tangible progress, what has been done in Administra-tion S.C.?
In the area of publications we have produced, in addition to the 1973-74 Handbook, attractive Annual Reports for the fiscal years 1973-74 and 1974-75. We hope to have the 1975-76 Report in print by May. We have just produced Issue No. 22 of "Urban News", a bi-lingual, 8-page in-house newspaper with a distribution of 20,000 copies. Next month we will have available a printed Policy Manual which should provide a basic "bible" for Select Committees, and will be endorsed annually by each incoming administration.
In other areas of communication, our "hot-line" for complaints 5-95555 is well established, and our special P.O. Box No. 700 is in service to supplement the lines of communication to the public existing through the Ward and U.S.D. District Offices. A regular series of receptions have been held to permit informal contact between Councillors, U.S.D. staff and specialists in different fields of community endeavour. The Urbco '74 Exhibition held in the City Hall and Edinburgh Place over a period of 9 days depicted all aspects of the Council work and attracted over 100,000 visitors-apart from the "spin-off" in press and television coverage.
In the area of U.S.D. Establishment, the Administration S.C. now considers detailed monthly reports showing staff strengths and vacancies in each Department; and it gives careful consideration to requests for staff increases from all areas of the Council. In Staff Training the Committee has taken particular interest and, while recognizing the value of specialist overseas training at University level, has pressed for the expansion of local training facilities, both through the reorganization of the Departmental Training Unit and by utilizing the available resources of the H.K. Productivity Centre and H.K. Management Association. A study group of U.S.D. officers has visited S.E. Asian countries for research purposes and a further study group is planned shortly. Expenditure on staff training in the current year is estimated at $1.4m, and our overall objective is to provide development opportunities for all staff capable of carrying greater responsibilities.
I think that our advances in staff training represent a significant achievement for the Committee and the Council. Similarly, the introduction of draft Legislation on Advertisements has been realized after languishing for many years in a limbo. The comments of no less than 10 Government departments are now receiving consideration, the advertising trade will be consulted, and Urban Services Department
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
has been asked to press ahead to the final drafting stage as quickly as possible.
Another significant achievement is in the planning for the new Urban Council Chambers which should be ready by the end of this year. The construction of these desirable premises was revived at the first meeting of the Administration S.C. in 1973. In 1974, we prepared draft layout plans and, in the Conventional Debate in February of that year, I called on the Colonial Secretariat to act "with something greater than its usual despatch" to ensure the construction of a Council Chamber in 1975. The matter has been discussed, on and off, for the past 18 years and we must congratulate ourselves that we now have a Council Chamber finally nearing completion. We must also express appreciation to Government for accepting the need and acquiescing very generously to our wishes.
Of the need there can be no doubt. Our present premises are inadequate, over-crowded and uncomfortable for Councillors, public and the press. The new Council Chamber at the N.E. corner of the City Hall is being built economically, at a time of low construction costs. Apart from a much-needed and properly-equipped Council Chamber, and meeting rooms, it will provide a new pleasure garden for the public and conference facilities for hire to appropriate organizations. The space vacated here is already urgently required for Urban Services Department expansion.
I would count as another significant achievement, Administration S.C.'s contribution to the structuring of the Planning and Development Unit in 1974. This is now under the wing of the Works Planning S.C., established in 1975, and with available opportunities for switch-financing, represents a key instrument in promoting new building works from our outstanding works programme. In this respect, may I call again as I did at greater length last year-for a prompt commitment to the construction of the whole of our Cultural Complex in Tsim Sha Tsui. The success of our mini-Museum in Star House merely illustrates, yet again, the burning need for a H.K. Museum and Art Gallery worthy of this name, and of this community. Loans and switch-financing are ready implements to secure the necessary cash; and the time to contract is now before the pressures of economic influences bring inevitable and substantial increases in construction costs.
Before I leave Administration achievements, I must comment on our Council P.R. Section, operating on an economy of scale and cost which would astound any other Council of comparable size. This small and dedicated team, led enthusiastically by our P.I.O., Mr.
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