# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## Resumption of Annual Conventional Debate
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I would now like to exercise my right of reply in resuming the debate on the Motion that this Council endorsed the Statement of Aims for 1987/88.
In considering what to say, I thought I should have mercy on you and then I changed my mind and decided that some of you spoke so long, you should be entitled to listen to me drawing out my reply. I wonder what to do and I decided that everybody had something of great deal of interest to say, which meant I read all your speeches after having listened to them and I hope that was a good idea but this will give you an opportunity and remind you what each other said which I think it is good for your mortal soul if nothing else.
Firstly, the speech of VCUC, Mrs. Tu, I am glad to say, did not disappoint us as she revealed that she has lost none of her sparkle. I heartily support her comments on the hard work of the Department and share her dismay at leaks to the press. Such leaks tend to pre-empt discussion and give the public a false impression that ideas, only in an embryonic stage, are established Council policies. These, however, may well be modified considerably or even rejected totally.
VCUC's views on the introduction of democratic reforms are well-known and reiterated in her speech. However, I know she agrees that the majority of appointed members on this Council do their best to serve the public, and do work in harmony with their elected colleagues.
Regarding her views on those in high places, I will be delighted to pass these on.
Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's comments on district boards were very interesting. Like him, I find it quite difficult to understand that anyone could take seriously the suggestion that the two Council's responsibilities should be fragmented 19 ways, with presumably 19 budgets, 19 separate policies on a wide variety of subjects with presumably 19 chief executives and so on ad nauseam. This is what would be involved, a recipe for chaos.
Mr. C. K. CHAN gave an analysis of various types of representative government which no doubt will provide the Administration with much food for thought. Mr. CHAN also tabled a document prepared by seven Councillors who are also members of the Basic Law Consultative Committee on their ideas of municipal government in the post-1997 period. Views not necessarily shared by other Councillors at this stage.
Miss Cecilia YEUNG expressed her confidence in the Urban Council, based on her 16 years of experience in serving the public in the Council.
Dr. Kim CHAM produced a very interesting proposition for privatizing many of the public sectors' functions but went further by suggesting that staff displaced by such privatization should be allocated a share in the equity by means of share options in the private firms which would perform the duties formerly undertaken by direct labour.
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Mr. Stephen LAU gave a factual report on the Entertainment Select Committee and presented us with his views that democratic reforms should be introduced with caution. He also advised second thoughts on a Central Provident Fund which he considered small-scale industries just could not afford.
Dr. Philip Kwok outlined the Council's museum programmes during the past year and looked forward to the very exciting new museum projects in the pipeline. He further reported on the health of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra which is one of the major assets of Hong Kong's cultural life.
Mr. L. H. KWAN made a plea for more open committee meetings and also for the agendas of the various open meetings to be given more publicity prior to the meetings. Whilst certainly the Council is moving towards more open discussions, it is, I am afraid, a sad fact that the more open meetings there are, the more legislative bodies worldwide resort to closed-door informal discussions, resulting in decisions being made behind very closed doors and public meetings being little more than a sham, the decisions having already been made before the meetings take place.
Mr. Joseph CHAN gave his own personal views on the way forward in respect of constitutional changes and direct elections. He also underlined the value of the Urban Council and thought that whilst the Urban Council was certainly not indispensable, if it was dissolved, the urban services that it currently undertakes would probably be managed in a less efficient manner. He therefore favoured the retention of the present three-tier system of government.
Joseph then went on to give an account of the library services and gave a vote of thanks to staff for a job well done which we all entirely support. He was also anxious that the Council, the licensing authority for on-street newspaper sellers, should make efforts to control objectionable publications and some newsletters on this particular aspect will be coming out shortly.
As a headmaster, Mr. CHAN then gave his views on educational matters which I do not think I am qualified to comment on. However, I do think that his call for a local open university was a good one and something well worth following up.
Mr. LAM Chak-piu gave his comments on direct elections to the legislature and urged people to develop a more community-minded policy which would lead to better communication at all levels. He went on to discuss social policies, including those affecting the Housing Authority. He also advised the merging of the Urban and Regional Councils into one body.
Mrs. CHOW CHEUNG Wai-ping, like many other members, gave her views on the future political system for Hong Kong and her view basically was that, whilst there was room for further democratization, this should not be such that...
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