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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Item 6: I personally think that the Ombudsman Commissioner would have far more credibility inside the Civil Service if he were also allowed to investigate Civil Servant's complaints either against their own Departments or other Departments, or even against the public, and I think therefore that this item should be deleted.
With best wishes of the Season.
Yours sincerely,
W. M. SULKE
MR. L. H. KWAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in view of the long but interesting speech of my dear friend, Mr. Walter SULKE, my speech is extremely short and I wish my colleagues can go home before the sunset.
(In Cantonese):----I would like to take this opportunity to offer my friends a public apology. Few months ago, I promised to support their participation in the Yau Ma Tei District Board election. Unfortunately, the Central Government decided excluding Urban Councillors from being ex-officio members of the District Boards. Therefore, I have to enter into election myself. I can offer no further support to my friends in the election. I feel terribly sorry for that. Besides, I have prepared to run for a seat in the constituency of Jordan of the Yau Ma Tei District.
Apart from giving my apology to those people concerned, I would like to raise my protest against the Central Government's policy. I am also disappointed with the Government's decision which is in disregard of the Urban Council.
Mr. Chairman, with these words, I support your motion.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to express my opinion on the following.
(1) The Development of Representative Government
Hong Kong people have always been practical and down-to-earth. They never dream or ask for too much. I believe that we will all know the importance of a smooth transition into 1997 and a convergence with the political structure of the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Zone. However, in order that Hong Kong can become a highly self-governed place in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, she must progressively establish a democracy that suits her own needs. From the Survey Office's report, we learn that a majority of the people earnestly hope that there will be some directly elected members in the Legislative Council. The government must therefore state clearly when preparing the White Paper that there will be some directly elected seats in Legco in 1991. It is hoped that the government will take a firm stance, respect and accept the public views and will no longer be satirised as a 'lame duck'.
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(2) The Relationship between the Urban Council and the District Boards UC members, especially elected members, have always made their full efforts in actively participating in district matters. They have truly reflected district boards' views and are in close contact with various government departments at district level.
Nevertheless, the government announced the cancellation of UC members' ex-officio membership in the district boards on 18 December 1987, thus cutting the link between the Urban Council and the district boards without giving any explanation or suggestion as to how to improve their relationship. It is not known why the government should choose the Urban Council as the patient to be operated on at this time. But, is it necessary and appropriate when the Council is itself still very 'healthy'?
Mr. Chairman, let me tell you a true story. I have a friend who, suffering from abdominal pain, went to consult a doctor in a government hospital and was diagnosed as having acute appendicitis which needed to have an immediate operation. Not until he was operated on was it found that there was nothing wrong with his appendix, which was, nevertheless, done away with. It was a few days later my friend found out that he had an omphalocele which caused him the pain. Now the government removes the umbilical cord of UC, i.e., its ex-officio membership in district boards, without having a prior assessment of the public view on this matter, and adopting proper enactment procedures but announces the new rule before the publication of the White Paper. It bears an exact analogy to the removal of a healthy organ resulting from mistaken diagnosis. The government's arbitrariness is enraging and regrettable.
(3) Development of Public Libraries
Mr. Chairman, I being the chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, the development of public libraries, and whether the quality of services to the general public can be raised are my prime concern.
We have already had one central library, 11 district libraries, 13 small libraries and 2 mobile libraries, making a total of 27 as at the end of 1987.
The total library stock amounts to some 1,900,000 items, comprising English books some 540,000 volumes, Chinese books some 1,300,000 volumes and audio-visual materials some 90,000 items.
We have approved a plan that in five years' time, i.e., by 1992, we have to reach the target that there will be 2 central libraries, 15 district libraries, 14 small libraries, 1 arts library and two mobile libraries in operation, making a total of 34, so that every 200,000 people will have a district library with a small library as supplement in the ten urban administrative districts. The total library stock will be increased from some 1,900,000 items at present to 2,400,000. Items of library materials per capita will be increased from 0.57 at present to 0.7 by 1991 and further increased to 1 after 1991. With concerted effort and cooperation of all colleagues and departmental staff, this target, unless unexpected circumstances arise, will for sure be met.
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