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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
condition of the poultry stalls in UC markets was unsatisfactory. Hence we have to make special efforts to monitor the hygienic condition in a bid to stop the spread of the virus. For the sake of safeguarding public health, I suggest the Council join hands with the government departments concerned and take such measures as increasing the manpower and the laboratory facilities to strengthen the sampling, testing and quarantine system on imported food. Since most of the vegetables and meat are imported from the Mainland, the Council can consider liaising with relevant departments in the Mainland to make arrangements for departmental staff to exchange views and promote education on food hygiene, so that farm and vegetable market operators in the Mainland can enhance their knowledge of food hygiene, such as the proper and safe use of pesticides as well as the hygienic requirements for keeping livestock. These measures can help tackle the problem at its root. Locally, inspections of restaurants should be stepped up to make sure that they all meet the hygiene standard. Besides, more efforts should be devoted to the promotion of personal food hygiene. It is my hope that in the coming new year, the public can really enjoy the pleasure and benefit of eating.
Mr. Chairman, at the end of last year, the SAR Government announced that there would be a review on the operation and structure of the district organisations. At a time when the SAR Government has just been established and that the promises of continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong after the handover and all the existing systems to remain unchanged for 50 years are still ringing in our ears, I think it is unpractical to make any major reforms on the existing effective system or policies. In my view, the Municipal Councils and the District Boards of the two-tier structure both have their own meanings and values of existence. They are actually complementing each other. Vested with the power of administration and financial autonomy, the Council can coordinate with the District Boards which have their foundation firmly laid on the opinions of the public. Working closely together, we can provide facilities related to culture and recreation, market and public health etc, according to the unique environment of individual districts. Since the establishment of the District Boards, these two-tier bodies have been in good cooperation. Therefore, I don't think we need to make any changes on the setup and operation of the existing two-tier structure at this stage. On the contrary, I consider that the Government should widen the scope of responsibilities of the Council whereby we can provide services to the general public more effectively. For example, the work of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council is somewhat similar to that of our Culture Select Committee, while the work of the Hong Kong Sports Development Board bears some similarities with that of the Council. That services similar in nature are provided by different organisations using government resources will only confuse the public and invite criticisms on the duplication of work and wastage of resources. I suggest that the Government may consider centralizing its resources so as to provide high-quality services to the public and to achieve cost-effectiveness.
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