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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
moment, only the wasteful parking of cars when there are ample proper facilities in the vicinity.
On the other hand, if the Government wishes to do well by the community, all the land now occupied by Victoria Barracks should be reserved for free public use in perpetuity. It should be a park and green belt. The century-old and very popular Botanic Gardens could be extended there, with the whole area developed to advantage as a civic asset. Exciting prospects challenge the imagination. But, first, there must be the will to lay out a city worthy of a hard-working people who deserve better all round. Meanwhile, let the people pray fervently, before it is too late, that reason will not be wholly without influence in this exercise. The making of a better city is the real issue. For, it is tomorrow's Hong Kong.
PAPERS
The following papers were laid on the table:
Reports to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the months of July and August, 1977.
QUESTIONS
(1) DR. P. C. WONG asked the following question (in English):-
With regard to the recent 7.5 percent increase in salary to all civil servants of Hong Kong Government, I would like to know how the staffs of the Urban Services Department are affected:-
(a) Was the Urban Council consulted and given information in advance?
(b) Is the Urban Council being refunded the increase in the current financial year according to the memorandum of administrative arrangements?
(c) If so, how much and when is payment likely to be made?
(d) Is the Urban Council cash position affected by any delay in receiving the due refund?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(e) What is the total amount that the Urban Council will have to absorb on its own in its next financial year?
(f) Has it got the means to do so without increasing the rate percentage?
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
This question concerns the recent pay increase for the civil service as it affects the staff of the Urban Services Department.
The Council was not informed of the salary increase in advance and, under the Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements, the Government meets the cost of this increase for this financial year.
The total amount involved is estimated at about $18 million and the back-pay for the period April to August 1977 is being paid direct by the Government. The cost of the salary increase for September and October will be met initially by the Council; this amount, however, will be reimbursed by the Government by the end of November, and it will also meet the cost for the period from November to the end of March 1978. The Council's cash position is not adversely affected and any refund due has not been delayed.
Based on present information, the Urban Council will have to absorb an increase of approximately $18 million in the next financial year. However, as I cannot in any way bind the Council in its rate policy for 1978-79, the method of finding this sum will have to be determined by a policy decision that must be considered at Budget time by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
DR. P. C. WONG (in English):- Mr. Chairman, will the Council be informed in future of any such change by the Central Government?
MR. BERNACCHI (in English):- Not necessarily, that is why the Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements makes the provision for failure to inform in good time. The failure to inform lays on the Government the cost of the salary increases for that financial year.
DR. WONG (in English):- Mr. Chairman, will the financial position of the Council be affected after March 1978 or in 1978-79?
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