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have spoken for themselves. If Mr. FUNG is not happy with the number of arrests, I think this matter can be raised at the next Standing Committee of the Whole Council meeting. It is an on-going situation. Mr. FUNG knows very well that during the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee meetings over past years, quite a lot of attention was reported on the hawkers and market situation in Sham Shui Po. I don't agree with him that the setting up of this working group would be something like a talk-show, and I think the responsibility still rests with the Council and the Urban Services Department. But the setting up of this working group would mean that we should be able to get the support of other Government departments and be able to pool the resources of these departments within the district, so there would be more concerted and sustained efforts to improve the overall situation.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I think I am the one who frequents the area most. The situation there is rather chaotic. But if we keep on asking the same question every month, the same reply will be given. If we really want to solve the problem, could the Select Committee Chairman ask members from the district to come up with some concrete proposals so that we can once-and-for-all solve the problem? If it is in an orderly manner, perhaps I can go there every week and buy spare parts to improve my hi-fi system. If only three hawkers are arrested every time, it won't really help to solve the problem effectively. Perhaps we should try to tackle the problem at the root and not deal with the problem in a piecemeal manner. The question is: could we consider this?
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. Peter CHAN has made some valuable suggestions as a non-member of the Select Committee. I am happy to refer these suggestions to the Select Committee for consideration.
MR. FREDERICK K. K. FUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a suggestion. Perhaps we could have a working group under the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee to look into this matter rather than refer the matter to the Sham Shui Po District Board members who have no power whatsoever.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although I'm not a member of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, I would like to participate in that working group should it be set up. I wonder if the Chairman could accept this.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—The Secretary of the Urban Council has advised the Chairman that this is out of order, Mr. Chan.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am open to all suggestions which will be referred to the Select Committee.
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RESUMPTION OF ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE
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CHAIRMAN (in English):—Ladies and Gentlemen, I am now replying to the Motion accepting the Statement of Aims for 1991–1992.
Members have covered a great deal of ground on general matters. From the airport and related services to education, from the Gulf to building management. Nearly 40 speeches on various subjects. Several laced with good-humoured and homespun philosophy. All speeches have been forwarded to the Chief Secretary and no doubt the appropriate policy Secretaries are pondering the advice given on matters outside the jurisdiction of this Council.
If I were to judge on the merits of the speeches, I think I would award two prizes. One to Dr. Ronald LEUNG for his penetrating investigation into the utilisation rate of public toilets in Japan. A study that will be of immense value in initiating improvements to our own facilities.
The other prize to Mr. Arthur CHAM for a speech of clarity containing much wisdom but above all, a model by its sheer brevity, worthy of emulation.
On matters affecting the Council, the common thread running through the majority of speeches was connected with our environment. The many points raised will, I am sure, be given further study in the appropriate Select Committee.
Hawker Control is of great concern to many Members and the Council will be seeking reassurance from the Department that the zero growth policy reluctantly agreed to will not result in any slackening in efforts to improve the hawker situation. It would be naive of us to assume that the problem would go away. After all, our predecessors have wrestled with the same sort of situation over the last century. But I think we will agree that in modern Hong Kong, there is literally no room for uncontrolled proliferation of street trading. Our new market complexes plus a well-trained, motivated GDT Force offer some relief in the worst affected areas in the future, and it is to the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee that we look to keep the pressure on the Department.
However, could I make a plea to those Members who spoke so eloquently on the need to get illegal hawking in particular under control to consider a simple remedy. Use your influence in your district to persuade housewives not to patronise illegal hawkers. After all, hawkers licensed by this Council to carry on their business are easily distinguishable, both by virtue of trading from a fixed pitch stall, and the identification of a licensed hawker. It's a simple fact of life, the public cannot have it both ways.
It was pointed out in one speech that an analysis of the recent survey of public opinion on the Council's work showed that a surprising number of the participants actually knew what the Council was about. Satisfaction with cultural, recreational facilities was countered by a poor impression of
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