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redevelopment of the Victoria Park for example. There was supposed to be an open design competition but then the idea was dropped for some unknown reasons. Our release of messages is therefore very important.
We therefore wish to stress here that as far as Mr. Wong Chung-ki's amended motion is concerned, apart from freezing increases in charges, an important point we wish to bring out is that funding should be provided by the Central Government. Of course this is not a must, but we still hope to convey the message to the Government. We hope that we could make known to the central government what our problem is. The central government has fiscal reserves worth more than hundreds of billions of dollars. Is the loss of $80m arising from frozen or reduced market rentals going to be borne by the central government or by the Council itself through shrinkage of its services? At this time of economic downturn, I hope that some of our projects will be maintained, which is in fact one of the ways to stimulate the economy. If the Council's major infrastructure projects could be maintained, workers would be given jobs and this is indeed one of the ways to stimulate the economy. Apart from reducing charges, we therefore urge the Central Government to refund the Council with the money thus spent. Of course we do not regard this as a must. If you care to re-read Mr. Wong Chung-ki's amended motion, you will find that there is no absolute relationship between the two. I therefore hope that Members will support this amended motion. Of course, Mr. Tam Kwok-kiu's amended motion on examining the reduction of rentals payable by stall lessees of the Council's markets and cooked food centres should also be supported in principle.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): I wish to remind Members that under the Standing Order, besides the proposer of the original motion, no one may have a second chance to speak.
MR. IP Kwok-Chung (in Cantonese): I too consider that it is a good sign to have so many amended motions today. At a time when the economy is on the downturn and on the brim of crisis, everyone is concerned for the livelihood of the people. I consider that Ms. Jennifer Chow's amended motion is more comprehensive, objective and ready to shoulder the consequences. The reason why I have chosen Ms. Chow's amended motion is that her proposals for freezing charges and further examining the various charges and rentals have been made in response to genuine needs. It is by no means an across-the-board approach as a Member commented just now.
As the Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, I am aware of the fact that market rentals are increased every year. I consider that in further examining the proposal of rental reduction, there is a point which must be taken care of. If our motion on freezing rentals was carried today, care must be taken because some of the lessees might have just had their rentals
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