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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I have tremendous faith in Hong Kong's future as a great international city, and as China's bridgehead with the outside world. I look forward to remaining a Hong Kong resident after 1997 and in serving the Hong Kong community in any other way that I can to uphold the Hong Kong free enterprise system, economic prosperity, social stability and progress, and improve the living standards of Hong Kong residents under the 'One Country-Two Systems' principle. (Applause)
MOTION
1. MR. JOHN K. P. FAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-
'RESOLVED that the Museums (Urban Council) By-laws 1991 be made under Section 105I of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132'.
He said (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I rise on the motion standing in my name:-
'RESOLVED that the Museums (Urban Council) By-laws 1991 be made under Section 105 I of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132'.
The purpose of the new by-laws, which are introduced to replace the existing Museums (Urban Council) By-laws, is to provide for the management for the Council's expanded network of museums.
The Council's comprehensive programme of new museums and permanent exhibitions is being fully implemented in 1991. The new museums by-laws reflect the additional facilities now available to the public, and the new management needs arising from the expanded services.
Sir, I beg to move.
DR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in seconding the motion.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, By-law 10 regarding the damage of exhibits stipulates that nobody can damage the exhibits and the staff will take appropriate actions to prohibit people from damaging the exhibits. I think it is very appropriate to the Science Museum which has just been opened. As for penalties, there may be a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 1 month if an offence is committed. I think this may not be adequate for the newly opened Science Museum. According to information at hand, after the opening of the Science Museum, it is discovered that many exhibits have been damaged. Some have been actually dismantled and some have been stolen as souvenirs. Under the circumstances, this will affect the Science Museum being opened for public use to a large extent. I think in the By-laws, there should be a provision to educate the public for the Science Museum since we have not strengthened any educational work since its opening so that the users can know how to use the exhibits properly. Some people who do not know how to use the exhibits may damage them. Some people who do not treasure public properties may deliberately damage the exhibits. As for penalties in respect of the Science Museum, they are not adequate. The fines should be raised from $2,000 to $5,000 to have a deterrent effect. If exhibits are continuously damaged, not only public properties are damaged but it also takes a long time for repair and huge costs are involved as well. Besides, this will also affect other members of the public to use the exhibits. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. JOHN K. P. FAN (in English): Mr. Chairman, I tend to agree with Mr. CHAN's suggestion. That is why we today have to endorse this new set of By-laws to provide better management for the Science Museum as well as the on-coming museums. As for education and penalty are concerned, I am sure this is the business of the Museums Select Committee and I have confidence that the new Museums Select Committee will take Mr. CHAN's opinion on board.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, this is a sad day for the Council in many ways as we are bidding farewell to several of our members and I would like to say a few words of goodbye.
Mr. Arthur CHAM has been on the Council since 1989. He has been the Vice-Chairman of the Council's FIN S/C and the Chairman of its Tender Board. He has served on many Select Committees and has provided sound, sensible advice to the Council during his short stay with us.
We are also losing Mr. David FONG Pui-sheung from the Kowloon City District Board. Mr. FONG has served a wide spectrum of committees from MST S/C to CUL S/C. He has performed a solid service to the Council.
The other 8 representative members still have to be re-elected to the Council by their Boards and I trust that we will have no more casualties.
Miss Victoria CHAN Ying has been an appointed member of the Council since 1986. She has made a sound contribution particularly to the LIB S/C as a Vice-Chairman. Her smiling face and friendly manner will be missed by all of us.
Mr. CHOW Wai-keung has also been with us since 1986 and he has again served on a wide variety of committees. Of course, he will still be with the Central and Western District Board.
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