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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Second, to make full British citizens those British nationals of non-Chinese descent; and
Third, to make full British citizens those few remaining British nationals in Hong Kong who fought for the defence of Hong Kong,
As the motion was supported by all the Official Members of Legco, and also separately by Executive Council, I would strongly urge the British Government to give heed to and to accept all three proposals as contained in the motion.
This year being designated by The United Nations as International Year of Peace, it is hoped that Hong Kong will do its share to promote such praiseworthy objective. One way this can be actively promoted is by encouraging more people-to-people relationship, especially among young people, between Hong Kong and all the provinces and cities in China, and other places in Asia and the rest of the world.
Of course, as far as most Chinese cities are concerned, this will require Hong Kong people to be more fluent in speaking Putunghua. Through the various Putunghua classes in the extension service of the Urban Council's library system, we have since several years ago been active in providing free Putunghua classes in our district libraries.
Although the Year of Peace has superseded the 1985 International Youth Year, the Council will continue to promote youth-oriented activities since we are always mindful of the needs of young people.
Over the years, the Council has developed ambitious targets to provide recreation, sports and culture within the reach of the man in the street, especially for young people, as well as raising the general standards of such activities. In the years ahead, the Council will continue to pursue this goal with vigour and determination.
Now, to turn to dollars and cents, we are pleased to note that a new financial package recently drawn up between the Government and the Urban Council will ensure that the Council has a balanced budget at least for the next few years, putting it back on a sound and healthy financial footing.
However, I would like to assure rate-payers that the Council will leave no stone unturned to exercise continued strong fiscal restraint and vigilance over its financial resources, and that the Urban Services Department will be taking a hard look at various possible ways and means to achieve higher productivity and more value for money.
While seeking all such measures to reduce spending, the Council will nevertheless continue to upgrade its municipal services to keep pace with the rising aspirations of our 4 million urban dwellers.
Now, to turn to the field of art and culture, the international stature of Hong Kong is acquiring a new dimension thanks to the Urban Council's promotion of major cultural and other artistic events of international significance.
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One need look no farther than the numerous large-scale cultural projects which have been completed, including the Hong Kong Coliseum, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware, the Museum of History at Kowloon Park, the Ko Shan Theatre and the Aberdeen Civic Centre.
Of the multi-million dollar cultural projects in the pipeline, I am sure that local residents are looking forward with excitement to the completion of the magnificent Hong Kong Cultural Centre and on a more practical note, the Museum of Science and Technology.
The Council is already making preparations for the staging of a memorable festival to mark the grand opening of the Cultural Centre in 1989. Plans are also under way for the staging of more international programmes to match the world-class facilities available at the Cultural Centre.
Meanwhile, it is encouraging to note that in recent years the Cultural Presentations Office has been presenting many top international and local artists and groups.
Also, with the establishment of Cultural and Entertainment Offices on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon East and in Kowloon West, a closer relationship has been fostered between the Council and the districts. To cope with this development, six community arts centres are to be provided in Urban Council complexes, each comprising a 450-seat auditorium, an exhibition hall, a visual art studio and facilities for lectures and music and dance practice.
To set the stage for this greater involvement at district level, the Council is planning more and varied programmes to cope with the increasing demand for cultural presentations when the district community arts centres are in operation.
I so move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, VICE-Chairman, URBAN COUNCIL, seconded (in English): Mr. Chairman, I rise to second your motion. 1986/87 will be a very significant year for the Urban Council, since for the first time in its history the Council's revenue and expenditure budgets will be in excess of $2 billion. The pace of progress in Council activities has indeed been rapid since the Government gave the Council financial autonomy in 1973, and so, against this background, a Joint Working Party comprising both Council and Government representatives was convened to formulate a new financial package, which would enable the Council to continue and indeed improve on the excellent standard of services, and facilities provided for the people in the urban area. I am pleased to report that with co-operation and goodwill by all parties, the new funding arrangements which have been drawn up will ensure that the Council will achieve a plateau of financial security, that will enable it to maintain a balanced budget at least over the next few years. I should like to record a vote of thanks for the support given by the U.S.D. officers and Council colleagues during these negotiations.
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