Page 97 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
However, many policies of the Hong Kong Government are coordinated by central policy bureaux with absolute powers of control in their respective areas. There are plenty of examples. But then, there are many examples of policy errors too. As such, when the Government is planning to recall powers to central in respect of problems in hygiene, cultural and recreational policies and too many departments being in charge of the same matter, I cannot help asking if the restructuring options can really solve problems. Are they not part of the act to narrow down channels for the public to monitor and control the Administration? Are there other options in addition to the four options proposed by Government?
I asked the above questions in my article published in early June in the Hong Kong Economic Daily and Ming Pao Daily News. We have now progressed to a fifth option which is the one proposed by the Chairman. I am all for it.
According to the options proposed by Government, upon recalling to central powers over policy issues of food safety and environmental health, accountability will be transferred from the two municipal councils to the Legislative Council. As far as the power of control over relevant officials is concerned, the structure of the two municipal councils can do a better job (if the government proposal is carried out in due course) than that of the Legislative Council. At present, there are fourteen Select Committees under the Urban Council to discuss matters and the fund allocation mechanism is clearly in place. In case of dissatisfaction, fund allocation can be suspended or relevant plans can be shelved. If we put the Legislative Council on to the details of hygiene, cultural and recreational policies, how can we expect LegCo to spare that much time, manpower and resources to cover the minute details?
Financially and manpower wise, the accountability and actual function of the Urban Council structure are far more suitable for such a job than having to present documents to LegCo and so forth. Let us not forget that only one-third of LegCo seats are directly elected. In a powerful council under a powerful government, the opinions of public representatives are somewhat watered down.
Recall of power is the option backed by Government. For improved efficiency and to maintain the answerability of government officials, we would like to propose a more viable option of One Council and One Department. In other words, food hygiene, cultural and recreational policies will be put under one department. Officers of different departments will be seconded to the relevant policy bureau in order to implement the policies. In this way, we can root out duplication, thereby improve efficiency and solve practical difficulties. We are not really addressing the problem by going headstrong to recall powers to central.
In the democratic development of Hong Kong, we have always advocated direct public participation for control of government policies. If we go backwards and force back our democratic structure, the public and the
Page 97 of 606