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I therefore look forward to a second draft of the Basic Law being presented to the people of Hong Kong for comment later on in the year.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Sir, I support the motion before Council. One of the most worrying problems presently facing Hong Kong is the plight of the Vietnamese refugees. We are playing the role of unwilling host to many thousands of them. We did not invite them to our shores, but we do not want to turn them away, either, and face the contempt of the world if for instance an over-loaded boat sinks with heavy loss of life.
So we have become a sort of middle-man, trying to provide them with a temporary home while we depend on other countries to take them off our hands.
But those other countries are simply not doing their share. To a great extent, they seem to be happy to leave the problem in our hands. If memory serves me right, it was during a Royal Visit to Hong Kong that the first shipload of Vietnamese refugees arrived. I had the impression then that the reason we offered them a temporary home at that time was so that, while the Queen was in this territory, we would not be seen in the heartless role of moving on these hungry and homeless people while playing host to Her Majesty.
Has Britain lived up to its responsibilities in taking its share of VR's off our hands? I think we all agree that the answer is No.
But possibly even more important, has France taken its share from us? After all, these people are from former French colonies-not British colonies. France today is the home of millions of people from Algeria and many other former French possessions in Africa. Why doesn't France take some of its former Colonial subjects off our hands? After all, as the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board I can say without fear of contradiction that Hong Kong takes a lot of cognac, brandy, wine and even cars and other products off France's hand. Seriously though, what I am talking about is an immense problem in human terms-and I urge the French to make a far bigger contribution towards its solution. Given the choice between giving a permanent home in Hong Kong to these VR's and what we crudely term illegal immigrants, I think there should be no choice.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Colleagues, today members of the Council have a good chance to air their unique views freely to realize the spirit of democracy and liberty. At the same time, I can be enlightened by these speeches and may express my views in a consultative manner. Therefore I hope that this form of Annual Debate can be changed to be a quarterly event so that more chance will be provided for sound opinions to be voiced for our Council's consideration. As a result, our Council may choose among these views and adopt good ones with a view to promoting democracy and working for the welfare of the citizens.
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The Urban Council is the public organization which has the closest relationship with the public at large, and therefore the targets of our concern are people's daily life and their forms of recreation. Our Councillors should be fully consulted by other government departments on all matters relating to people's livelihood. In order to change the previous image of the Sanitary Board, the responsibilities taken up by the Urban Council should not be restricted to cleansing and hygiene. We should fight for more extensive power of administration. Good policies of the Urban Council will benefit the citizens of Hong Kong. Only these policies can meet the needs of the citizens. Our Council has the obligation to help solve their problems and while maintaining the stability and prosperity of our society we can attain the goals of the Council.
I would like to reiterate the demand for the expansion of the Council's power, which includes the supervisory power over all other government departments' work within the urban areas, such as traffic control. The problem of traffic congestion has already caused much discontent of the residents, who have lost a great deal of time and money as a result of traffic jams when they are going to or returning from their offices. Such losses are irreparable. Another example is the problem of road works. This kind of works is inevitable. However, the authority which is in charge of the planning for such works should be held responsible for the problems caused as a result. It has often been found that even minor road works can drag on for a few days. In fact, repair works for roads with heavy traffic should be carried out at night, even at a cost of double pay for the night-shift workers. This arrangement is still very justifiable as it is for the good of the public. It is also found that a certain stretch of road in Central District has been closed for 3 years. In fact, a certain part of it can be opened as a stopgap measure to ease the traffic congestion there. However, the authority concerned has not done so, but simply gave a reply that the contract which it made with the road works company did not provide for such arrangement. As a result, the affected area is full of junks and occupied by vehicles. Repair work for telephone wire, street lamps and gas pipes are always carried out without prior consultation with the departments concerned. Thus roads keep on being dug up repeatedly. Not only does it cost money, but it also disrupts the traffic flow. Will the traffic jams caused by such human factors be used as an excuse to introduce the Electronic Road Pricing System?
Although road transport management, which lies beyond the scope of municipal services, is the responsibility of certain specified departments, I still think I must speak the mind of the general public.
Universal suffrage by way of one-person-one-vote is widely talked about by everyone in the city. So it should be implemented as early as possible when the democratic atmosphere prevails today. Civic education should be stepped up. The best way to do so is to imbue the public with their civic rights concept within the coming 8 years. Hong Kong is blessed with a well-developed economy, but its people hold an indifferent attitude towards political affairs is an undeniable fact. So in the coming 8 years, we should foster the political consciousness among the public and let them get acquainted with their civic rights.
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