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We should review our existing services to see which ones can be contracted out so as to bring in competition for maximum cost effectiveness;
We should continue to study the possibility of an independent secretariat and how to improve support services;
On food safety, we should make specific recommendations to Government because we are very concerned about food safety;
We have set up a working group on central licensing and we hope the working group can speed up the implementation of central licensing procedures for better efficiency;
We should review the hawker policy and study on how to cut down the cost of hawker management;
We should be more aware of environmental protection and we should take the initiative to work together with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in improving refuse collection and environmental hygiene both from the environment angle and the cost effectiveness angle;
We should review the division of duties and duplication of duties between ourselves and various district boards as well as consider delegating powers;
We are duty bound to step up urban cleaning and consider reviewing the feasibility of USD staff prosecuting litterbugs; and
10. Cutting wastage is an important topic. This Council and its Members give the impression of wasting resources, but it may not be true. Nevertheless, we should do our best in cutting down on formalities and going for a more pragmatic approach.
Mr. Chairman, I am sure many colleagues will take the opportunity of this motion debate to express their aspirations in regard to the Consultation Document on Review of District Organisations. I think we should, in the days to come, re-establish the image of this Council by a pragmatic approach as well as twist around the weak trend we are now facing. We should take time into our hands and guide public opinion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):--In view of the debate on today's motion moved by the Chairman, I spent six weeks thinking and studying the Consultation Document on Review of District Organisations and drafted a paper of 10,000 words entitled 'We should expressly protect the public's right to know, monitor and participate in devising policies on public hygiene and food safety' (see enclosure 1).
As the paper contains 10,000 words, it is impossible to read through it within ten minutes. I therefore would like to ask permission from the Chairman to put my paper and statistical table on record.
The paper is divided into three parts. Part 1 lists 5 points why the said Consultation Document should be pragmatic. I think the Consultation
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