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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-According to the translation the first question refers to the safety instruction issued to cleansing workers of Urban Services Department and Urban Council employees. This is certainly a matter of routine in the department, but we will certainly refer Mr TSIN's comments to the department so that we can again remind the cleansing workers of the necessity of wearing the prescribed and approved blouse during working hours. On the question of payment of gratuities I understand from the department that this has not yet been finally compiled in terms of the amount, but the payment will be made shortly. With reference to education, I have no information on that, but would be glad to obtain information for Mr. TSIN from the department.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, there is one point which I would like to be clarified. It is about the widow of the second case. I wonder why she is not a resident of Hong Kong and instead a resident of another place. Since the labourer is a resident of Hong Kong I think that Urban Council is employing all the local workers here and his family should also be local residents.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-This question is not strictly within the terms of the original question. Nevertheless, Mr. MACKENZIE will be pleased to answer it, I am sure.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-I am afraid I cannot say why the lady is a Macau resident. I only assume that she prefers to live there for her own reasons. If Miss YEUNG considers that an important point, we can investigate and provide her with information later.
MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, if the labourer is an employee of the Urban Services Department then his family should also enjoy all the privilege accorded to members of worker's family.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I accept that as a statement for reference to the Administration Select Committee because it is not a supplementary question. Any other supplementary question?
RESUMPTION OF ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I will now exercise my right of reply under Standing Order 21, paragraph 17, on the motion:-
"THAT this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1978".
Appreciation
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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ANNUAL REVIEW
Never before have the people here been given so many civic amenities in such a short time. Never before too has the common enjoyed so many activities to make life more pleasant. This point was well and truly made by most Members in this Annual Conventional Debate when reporting on their year-round work and revealing more plans for many years to come. In all these pursuits the Council was well served by the Urban Services Department and its own Secretariat. To all, a sincere word of appreciation.
Select Committees
Select Committees succeed if there are positive and well-defined policies in keeping with their respective terms of reference. But, they fail if their assigned responsibilities are not discharged in an energetic way and without procrastination. Also, for community betterment, they must do well all the many prescribed tasks which together have such a great bearing on the everyday life of the people. In many directions, the Council has moved ahead with marked success. Accordingly, goodwill has been earned. Local people are generally gratified with the results.
But, it must be admitted in all frankness that not all aspects of its many-sided jurisdiction have been tackled with the same realism and determination. Remedial measures must be taken so that such chronically weak areas as might exist are tidied up to a standard acceptable to the community. While the Council might recognise the value of long-entrenched interests in specific areas, its first and only concern must be towards the orderly progress of the territory and the well-being of all the people, so it should not pander any longer to thinking and performance out of step with changing times, no matter how well intentioned. For, was it not said that the path to hell was also paved with good intentions? And, if any group proved unable to produce results after a long spell with the ball, it should be taken off in all fairness to the community. It would be proper to put others on to bowl next. And, that is what the Council might now wish to do, for many overs until the time to draw stumps.
Basic Services
Action continues on a more practical plane to make sure that food sold at any stage of preparation is not injurious to public health. Regulations have been simplified over the years and updated to conform
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