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of some 70 to 80%. It is proposed that the level of subsidy should further be increased without seeking additional funding from the Central Government. Where does the Council get its funding? It is none other than the rates collected, and for only such a sum. In reducing and further reducing our charges, where could we get all the resources and the funding? The remaining 20% of our funding comes from the licence fees and hire charges paid by the users of our venues and stadiums. This represents 20% of our revenue. If we were to further reduce the charges, where could we get enough funding? Who else other than the Central Government should we turn to for funding? Some say we should economize and develop more sources of income, but where could we get the money and sources? I consider that we should be more sensible in discussing this issue. As indicated by what Members said just now, it is likely that Ms. CHOW's amended motion will be carried. With the support of the appointed Members and the DAB, it is likely to be carried, unless Mr. CHAN surprises me by objecting to it. As for us, we are only acting objectively. We therefore support all the amended motions except Ms. CHOW's.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—All the Members have spoken. In accordance with the normal proceedings, would the proposer of the original motion please speak now? Mr. Cheung Yu-yan please.
Mr. Cheung YU-YAN (in Cantonese):--Let me first of all respond to Mr. Kam Nai-wai's remark that 'the Liberal Party is very liberal indeed'. Thank you. I consider that the people of Hong Kong are very liberal or free. If there is no freedom in the Democratic Party, then I must consider myself lucky for not having joined the wrong party.
Turning back to the amended motions. I do not support those moved by Mr. WONG Chung-ki and Mr. Tam Kwok-kiu, because at the meeting of the full Council on 11 November 1997, Mr. Wong Chung-ki moved a motion, which says 'RESOLVED that if this Council runs into financial deficit, the Council should exert efforts in requesting the Government to make up for the insufficient allocation of funds for the years 1997/1998 to 1999/2000 in order to ensure that the quality of municipal services will not be affected.' Since this motion was carried, I do not consider that similar amendment should be added to my motion anymore. It has been done and there is no need to repeat it. Furthermore, I consider that the spirit of the original motion is ‘to freeze increases in charges'. 'To seek supplementary provision from the Central Government' is another spirit. They should not be mixed together. The loss in revenue as a result of the freezing of increases in charges should be coped with by the Finance Select Committee and our colleagues in the Council and Department through saving or additional income. We should economize on the use of our resources and study ways to secure more income. To place the proposals of seeking supplementary provision from the central government and of freezing increases in charges within one single resolution would give the wrong impression that if we froze increases in charges without succeeding in
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