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In situations like this, however, it is extremely dangerous to guess and I would like to suggest to the select committee that this Council commissions one of the Universities or the Polytechnics to study the hawker problem scientifically give us an idea as to just how much of an economic need and how much of a social need they fill and whether it is necessary for this Council to spend HK$70 million per annum as we do now to support hawkers, and whether it would not be cheaper for Government in the long run to prohibit hawkers entirely, including wall stalls and pay out money that the Central Government and ourselves are now spending on the hawkers (which would have to take into consideration the cost of the outright subsidies plus the hidden subsidies in cleaning up after them, the costs of law enforcements, the cost of road space, etc.) and pay this out in compensation to those hawkers over a certain age who, because of their lack of training for any other type of job, could not be absorbed in the economy.
I am sure that such a study would be of great benefit not just to this Council but also to the Central Government and the community as a whole, and with these remarks, I support the amendment to the motion.
(Mr. CHAN Chi-kwan returned at this point—5.00 p.m.)
MR. PAO (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I support Mr. SHUM's motion. One of the major reasons as we all know is that the district boards, in the past, have worked very hard to improve the environment and as wall stalls are a major environmental problem and therefore personally, I am very concerned about them i.e. if we legalize all wall stalls, then probably, it would pose as an environmental hazard and so I hope that not just Urban Councillors, but all relevant district boards should also be consulted before we really make a decision.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Would you like the replies to be handed over to the Select Committee? Would you like to exercise your right to speak, Mr. BERNACCHI?
MR. BERNACCHI (in English):—As I said in my speech, I would support this amendment.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—This is a motion on referring the matter to the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee.
The question on Mr. SHUM CHOI-SANG'S motion was put.
The motion was carried with twenty-seven votes for and one abstention.
ADJOURNMENT—5.10 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—That concludes the business of today's meeting. As August is the recess month of the Council, the Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 20 September 1983 at 4.00 p.m.
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