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economical way to do about it. No matter what other measures you put into the system it will only give rise to less efficiency on the part of the GDTs and act to the burden of taxpayers. I would like to reiterate once again that we would like to control hawkers and we do not want to ban them.
MR. WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as regards my previous question, can Mr. LAU discuss with our legal advisor first before reporting to us at the MST Select Committee Meeting. I would like to know our legal responsibilities.
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to ask questions on members' behalf. But if any member is interested in such issue I would like to invite him to attend the next MST Select Committee Meeting so as to question the officials concerned and those are open meetings.
MOTIONS
1. DR. RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG, CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:-‘RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1992 be adopted.'
He said (in English):-In accordance with Section 36(4)(c) of the Urban Council Ordinance, I move the adoption of the audited Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Receipts and Payments of the Urban Council for the year ended 31 March 1992.
Members will note that the Director of Audit's Certificate on the Statements is not qualified by any observation on the manner in which the Council's accounts have been kept and rendered. The Department is to be congratulated for their keeping the Council's accounts in good order.
Also in accordance with Section 40(4) of the Urban Council Ordinance, one copy of the certified statements will be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—In rising to second the motion, I would like to add my congratulations to the department in producing our accounts in time to the satisfaction of the Council and our auditors. Indeed I am pleased to report that the financial accounts which showed a surplus of $159 million for the year ended 31 March 1992 have been certified as correct by the Director of Audit. I do not intend to comment on the results as full details were provided to Members in early April this year.
With regard to the current financial year, based on the latest available financial data, a surplus of somewhat around $600 million is expected which if realised would increase the Council's reserves to $1,348 million as at 31 March 1993, which is equivalent to approximately 16 weeks' expenditure. I can now say that the Council's financial position appears reasonably secure for these few years.
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Mr. Chairman, with these words I have much pleasure in seconding the motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
2. MR. PAO PING-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-RESOLVED that the Slaughterhouses (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bylaw 1992 be made under section 77 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
He said (in English):--As Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name:
‘RESOLVED that the Slaughterhouses (Urban Council) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bylaw 1992 be made under section 77 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
The purpose of the amendment Bylaw is to give effect to revision of licensing fees for the operation of a private slaughterhouse in the Urban Council area. The amendment will increase the annual licence fee chargeable to the licensee of the slaughtering operations at the Kennedy Town Abattoir, the only private slaughterhouse operator in the Urban Council area, from $74,175 to $102,370.
The increase has been approved by the Public Health Select Committee and the Finance Select Committee and ratified by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. The fee revision is to be effective from 23 October 92, the date of publication of this amendment Bylaw in the Gazette.
The increase in licensing fees would reduce the Council's projected annual deficit (at 1992/93 price level) from $37,000 to $9,000 in respect of licensing control of the private slaughterhouse at Kennedy Town.
The increase is minimal in monetary terms and should not have any real impact on the operating costs of the slaughterhouse concerned.
Mr. Chairman, I beg to move.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I rise to second Mr. PAO's motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
3. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion:-'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 8) Order 1992 be made under section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'
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