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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(1) Contradiction between consultation and implementation: Consultation is an easier job. All the members have to do is to speak out and reflect public opinion as it is up to the government to decide whether to accept it or not. Executive power would bring along great influence, but naturally this would involve more technical details, feasibility studies, regular duties and services. It also requires more time and greater devotion of the members. Increase or reallocation of both executive staff and financial resources would be necessary. Furthermore, depending on the nature of duties, we have to consider whether it is more suitable to have the job executed by 19 districts throughout the territory, on the Urban Council level or by an organization sized between the Urban Council and the District Boards. In view of the present circumstances, I would agree that it is necessary for district administration to fulfil both consultative and implementation functions, but a balance should be maintained in the executive aspect.
(2) Contradiction between the two-tier and three-tier systems: I have never answered the question directly due to confusion in the concept. A two-tier system to you may mean a three or four-tier system to me. So it is better to tell directly the system of government or district administration you have in mind.
The Urban Council bears important responsibilities. In addition to duties in the nature of district administration, the Council also coordinates and makes decisions on matters of culture, recreation, environment, food hygiene, markets and hawkers for all urban districts. Of the Urban Councillors, half are directly elected. With representatives who are subject to popular monitoring to participate in the making of municipal policies and supervision of the executive work of the Urban Services Department, the citizens are more protected in their interests and their practical needs more properly met. However, for consultative bodies of similar importance like the Housing Authority, the Board of Education and the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, citizens have no right to choose their own spokesmen directly since all members are appointed by the Government. The shortcomings are obvious, but we cannot ask for direct election in all the existing 360 or so advisory committees. If the Legislative Council would open half or more of its seats for direct election, not only can these committees be made its subordinate bodies but those duties of the Urban and Regional Councils which can be put under central coordination can also be transferred to the Legco or its subordinate groups, and those replaceable by district functions handed over to the districts. If these leave no functions which give cause for the two Councils to continue to exist, both institutions can be abolished. However, if the work handed over to the districts is more than mere management of parks, the geographical division of the District Boards would seem too limited to facilitate the management of resources and staff. This may call for a merger of several District Boards into a new district administrative body. I have no prejudice against the existence or abolition of the Urban Council. It came into being to serve certain purposes and could be abolished for other needs and reasons. A permanent Council is not necessary.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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into a new district administrative body. I have no prejudice against the existence or abolition of the Urban Council. It came into being to serve certain purposes and could be abolished for other needs and reasons. A permanent Council is not necessary.
The above analysis shows that district administration is meaningful only if it converges with the system of central government. The District Boards can be cancelled theoretically, so is the Urban Council, but this has to be done according to needs. Of course, I agree that the Urban Council cannot replace the District Boards as a district consultative body, while District Boards can hardly take over all the Council's responsibilities with their present demarcation and organization. Besides abolishing the Urban Council, there seems to be many alternatives and it is not necessary to make any rash conclusion at the moment.
(3) Contradiction between the supervisory and supplementary roles: The systems of district administration vary from country to country, but their objectives can generally be divided into 2 categories: (a) to supervise and balance the central government; (b) to support and supplement the central government, acting as its delegate. We must take into account both objectives when developing the future district administration.
As a highly modernized and populous society with a diversified organization, Hong Kong must allow public participation like other cities for efficient and democratic rule.
Conclusion
In working out the mode of the future district administration, no selfish departmentalism should be allowed. We must take into consideration the overall situation to be in line with the system of government as a whole, conform to the principles of democracy and efficiency, and maintain the merits of the existing system. A supplementary system of district administration should also be considered when reviewing the system of central government in 1987. The Urban and Regional Councils are not inabolishable, but conclusions cannot be drawn at the moment. Proper decision is possible only when considered along with the reform of the central government. Moreover, there are alternatives besides abolition of the two Councils.
MRS. NELLIE FONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman,
Administration Continuity
Sir Edward's passing has triggered off some attention to the status of our current administration. A head count on the British administration in Hong Kong, on those that have left within the last six months and those on the departure list in the coming months would reveal some alarming findings.
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